I’ve touched before on animistic beliefs and ghosts in Thailand, but this is a part of Thailand I find to be the most fascinating and interesting. Which is why I made it a priority to go to the Phi Ta Khon festival in Dan Sai, Loei this past weekend.
Tag: culture
Bpai Tiao Video: Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Festival) 2014
In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.
Earlier this year, I decided that there were a bunch of festivals all over Thailand that I had to go to. The one that I was most excited about going to was the Phi Ta Khon Festival in Loei, which I just got back from. Phi Ta Khon, or the Ghost Festival is so colorful and fun. Check out the video for yourself!
The Modern Expression of Buddhism in Thailand
Thailand, like much of Southeast Asia, is a predominately Buddhist country. Buddhism came and strengthened throughout the centuries, competing and merging with both animism and Hinduism. As a result, the Buddhism that is practiced today is a combination of a variety of beliefs and practices.
A Short History of Buddhism in Thailand
Thailand reports that about 96% of its population is Buddhist. But what does that mean? How did Buddhism come to Thailand and how have I experienced that history? What shape does Buddhism take in current daily life situations? How many days off a year do I get because of Buddhist holidays? Well, like Julie Andrews sang in “The Sound of Music,” let’s start at the very beginning, it’s a very good place to start.
Thai is a Language of the Heart
Sometimes, listening to Thai people speak, it seems like the word jai (ใจ) is everywhere.
เข้าใจไหม (Khao jai mai, Do you understand?)
ใจเย็นๆ (Jai yen yen, Chill out.)
คนใจดี (Kon jai dee, Kind person)
But what does jai mean? Jai translates as “heart” and has all the similar connotations that heart has in English, such as “spirit” or “inner being.” So it makes sense that jai is used to construct phrases that have meanings related to one’s heart, mind and spirit. more “Thai is a Language of the Heart”
In Thailand, It’s More than Fun, It’s Sanuk
It’s a repeated refrain that Peace Corps Volunteers hear throughout their service:
No serious!
Mai dtong seriot!
Don’t take serious, na!
Tammai seriot?
Don’t serious!
Don’t serious about me!
Why so seriot? Mai seriot, na.
In case you couldn’t figure it out, taking anything seriously here is strongly discouraged. Even if it’s a serious topic. Especially if it’s a serious topic. The Thai way of life is infused with the concept of sanuk (สนุก). But what is sanuk? It’s most often translated as fun, but is so much more than that.
Muay Thai: Thailand’s Martial Arts
Sports and the culture around them are a bit different in Thailand, as compared to the US. The only real sport that people coalesce around and have favorite teams for is football (soccer). There are a few other sports that people like to play recreationally, like volleyball, dtagraw, and futsal. But perhaps the sport that Thailand is most famous for is muay thai.
The Beautiful Game in Thailand
Sports are frequently a big part of a culture. They are a way for people to bond and recreate. In Thailand, I’ve encountered a different level of enthusiasm for some sports I’m familiar with, as well as some new and different sports. But what about the world’s most popular sport? Is it also popular here in Thailand? I am of course talking about football, otherwise known to Americans as soccer.
Bpai Tiao Video: Phanom Rung, Buriram
In Thailand, a bpai tiao is a trip of any length. I’ve written about some of my more significant bpai tiaos to tourist destinations here, to be used as travel ideas and tips.
In the 12th century, the Khmer empire dominated what is now know as Southeast Asia. Their main city and capital is the famous Angkor complex, which includes Angkor Wat. However, the empire stretched across Thailand, where they also built other cities and temples. Like Angkor, they are now ruins, and some of them aren’t very well preserved. However, Phanom Rung in Buriram is wonderfully well-kept and an excellent destination for tourists. Check it out!
Futsal – It’s Not the Same at Football
Here in Thailand, the culture around sports is a little bit different than that in the U.S. Volleyball is really popular, and sports unknown in the U.S., like dtagraw, are too. I’ve also noticed a sport that looks vaguely familiar, but upon closer inspection I realized I knew nothing about: futsal.